Travel to Peru – Overview
Are you thinking of travel to Peru? Explore the highlights of this diverse country – from Lima with its colonial landmarks and amazing seafood, to the Sacred Valley and former Inca capital city of Cuzco. Top off your visit with an exploration of the famed Machu Picchu.
The mystical country of Peru stretches from the northwestern coast of South America over the spine of the Andes and into the dense tropical jungle of the Amazon Basin. From its eternal coastal deserts to the highest navigable lake in the world, Peru’s landscapes are as diverse as they are spectacular. Similarly, its rich and ancient cultural heritage, with great civilizations stretching far back in time, make for a fascinating journey. Travel to Peru may be synonymous with Inca remains and Spanish colonialism, but much of its mystique derives from the legacy of those who made Peru their home long before.
Peru Tours by Latin Excursions
For many of our travelers, we begin at Peru’s capital, Lima; a vast metropolis typical of Latin American cities with a blend of modern skyscrapers and elegant colonial architecture. Apart from being a convenient gateway to many destinations, Lima is a great place to spend a few days absorbing local culture in the many excellent museums and lively street life.
Peru has some of the world’s most intriguing and mystical areas. The Inca stronghold of Machu Picchu is set high in the forest-clad mountains, unexplained in existence and staggering in terms of sheer logistics. At 8,200 feet above sea level and covering over five square miles, the ruins of Machu Picchu overlook a lush rainforest in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Nearer to the coast lie the equally enigmatic Nazca lines, great designs including monkeys, spiders and hummingbirds etched into the desert that are identifiable in their entirety only from the air.
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and displays a beautiful fusion of Spanish and Incan architecture. The ‘White City’ of Arequipa, on the other hand, is built of pearly volcanic stone and magnificent in an almost ethereal way. This beautiful city is the second largest in Peru and tucked away on the altiplano at an altitude of over 7500 feet. From here the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the southern hemisphere and the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca are easily within reach, as are the wonders of Peru’s untouched rainforest and the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
North of Lima, the dramatic legacies of pre-Columbian pagan civilizations surround Trujillo and Chiclayo, bordering the Amazonian jungle which covers the interior of the country. Here, as elsewhere in Peru, nature lovers can revel in exotic and abundant wildlife on guided treks through the jungle which remains not only unspoiled but also largely unexplored.
Without doubt, Peru is one of the great travel destinations of the world. With its stunning scenery and fascinating history and culture, Peru is a great destination for first-timers to Latin America.
As a country that offers such contrast and variety, from the vibrant hubbub of colorful street markets to the spirituality of Machu Picchu, Peru has something for even the most discerning of adventurers.
